Terma’s 3D-Audio system spatially separates radio, intercom, and warning tones, allowing pilots to perceive communications and threats from their actual direction of origin. When integrated with head-tracking and aircraft defensive suites, the system helps aircrew recognise and react to threats more quickly than display-only solutions.
The system features active noise reduction and high-fidelity audio to improve speech intelligibility and reduce pilot fatigue during missions. “Terma’s 3D-Audio has been a reliable, mission-enhancing upgrade for our F-16 community,” said Jace Holt, 3D-Audio Program Coordinator, Air Force Life Cycle Management. “It strengthens situational awareness and allows aircrew to focus on executing the mission rather than determining who is speaking.”
“Because it is a form-fit replacement for existing single-seat intercoms, 3D-Audio installs without major cockpit changes,” said Mike Schiavone, Vice President and General Manager, Terma Inc. “Operators gain immediate value: faster information processing, more decisive reactions, and more effective operations.”
Initially introduced on Royal Danish Air Force F-16s as part of an enhanced missile warning and detection capability managed by the Terma ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare system, the technology has since matured across multiple fleets. It has demonstrated effectiveness on F-16 and A-10C platforms, supported aircrew situational awareness in the U.S. Army ADAS programme, and is under consideration for other fixed- and rotary-wing aircraft, including fifth-generation platforms.
Beyond the U.S. Air Force and Air National Guard, more than 1,000 Terma intercom and 3D-Audio units have been delivered across F-16 and A-10 fleets. These include EPAF nations such as Denmark, Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium, and Portugal, with systems also operational in partner air forces like Ukraine, Romania, and Argentina, underscoring the technology’s maturity and coalition relevance.
